“We have made our choice” – Napoli’s Sporting Director breaks silence on Osimhen’s first team ban

Napoli signed Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea before England's transfer window closed, but Osimhen remains at the club.

Napoli’s Sporting Director, Giovanni Manna, has spoken about his club’s decision to axe Super Eagles forward, Victor Osimhen, from Antonio Conte’s senior squad, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 25-year-old looked set to join Chelsea on transfer deadline day, but the deal fell through due to a difference in salary expectations from both parties.

Osimhen had not trained with the Napoli senior team since the start of the month, missing their pre-season games in a bid to force an exit from Italy.

However, the move didn’t happen, leaving the Nigerian no choice but to continue his football journey with Napoli.

The manner in which Osimhen handled the situation angered the Napoli hierarchy. As a result, the 2023 Scudetto winners handed Osimhen’s number 9 jersey to Romelu Lukaku and banished the former LOSC Lille man from all first-team appearances.

Speaking in an interview with DAZN, Napoli’s Sporting Director remained composed about his side’s ability to cope without the 2023 CAF Player of the Year.

“We’ve made significant investments; we brought in Lukaku and kept Raspadori and Simeone, which wasn’t guaranteed. Right now, we are sticking to our consistent approach that we’ve had from the start. Victor has expressed his desire not to play for Napoli, and we have made other choices. The market is still open, there are many options, but I don’t think Victor will be going to Saudi Arabia in this transfer window,” Manna said in quotes revealed by Napoli Zone.

Osimhen, having missed yesterday’s Napoli clash against Parma, seems to have lost his place in Conte’s first-team squad. It is unclear if he will be given time to play in the rest of Napoli’s games this year.

This post was last modified on September 1, 2024 9:27 am

Adefolahan Guerreiro

Adefolahan is a multilingual journalist and writer at Soccernet Nigeria. With a track record of involvement in College sports, Adefolahan is focused on crafting engaging football content and utilising his language skills and extensive sports knowledge to enhance content accessibility for a global audience. He has interviewed Nigerian stars like Finidi George, Junior Lokosa, and Abraham Onahi Ogbu.

View Comments

  • Oshimen did nothing wrong,but tried to make best decision for his Career,Napoli feels they Created Him,and can ruin Him,of a True they gave him the platform to thrive,same as Cavani,Lavezi,HIGUIAN,Hamsik but Oshimen achieved what the four could not do for them
    He as delivered what was not required of him,and Napoli should have let him continue is adventure of A FOOTBALLER since last season,instead of putting a clause on him,that simply means His going no where
    I knew this was coming since last year,
    Oshimen should have been wise to take pay Cut and go to Chelsea it wisdom
    Diego Costa did same thing his career was destroyed by Conte,it not about Oshimen
    it about Europe and Arab you only can go when your contract is at a point your Mother club have no choice not when you put them at a driving seat like Oshimen it called
    CASH COW

  • Osihmen should have discussed with his former coach, Spaletti for advise and employ a team for his career

  • You just need to go back to Napoli presidents talks about AFCON to know his mindset about Africa and Africans. only an African fool can play for Napoli. At the end of the day Napoli will still regret their actions as his wages are quaranteed and will attract less value starting from january. He is still young and will still get a good club , however Osimhen must learnt a lesson on humility as his treatment of former super eagles manager Finidi was very bad.

  • I really do not understand Why Osimen put himself in such a needless difficult position
    Italy is a city of Paradox Where the Vatican and the Mafia co exist with both having a dark and a shining side .He should have know better .His agent is compromised and will have to leak his wounds for the rest of the contract however long.Humbleness and character is everything Sometimes in life it is more difficult to manage success than hard time.
    It is what it is

  • Osimhen should have taken a salary cut and joined Chelsea. Reason: At Chelsea, he will freely score goals because he's got the extremely good midfielders and attacking pearls that will support him, just like Haaland of Man City.

    • Joao Felix and Jardon Sancho took pay cuts to come to Chelsea but Osimhen didn't want to hear about any cuts, so Chelsea decided to add the cuts tied to performance he still refused, so we pulled out of the negotiations since he not ready to move on his grounds.

    • Why will he take a cut from 9mill to 4mil Chelsea is really crazy to do that to a champion like osimen. I prefer him to run down his contract and go by free agent. I have said it before and i will say it again, osimen was totally wrong to extend his contract with Napoli last time and Napoli is the worst club and worst president in Italian league and you will see how the president of Napoli club and his coach Antonio conte will end up later...

    • I don't know why Chelsea want to buy this player he is not that top world class player..I will compare him to Jackson miles off Drogba.. just a greedy soul

  • Was it not Conte that send Osimhen out of the pre season? I have not read any where that Osimhen walked out or refused to train. So why are they punishing him? I pray God will see him through

  • it's always better to just leave the scene when your ovation is at it's loudest. the mistake is committed already, he should be a little patient and face the consequences

  • So sad. Osimhen should take everything in good faith. He still have a lot of reasons to be grateful to God and his club. He should see this as an opportunity to be humble so that he can be lifted up. Osimhen should not use this to harbour grudges. He should rather seek peace with everyone. He should take every blame and trust God who gave him his destiny. God has not finished with Osimhen

Share
Published by
Adefolahan Guerreiro

Recent Posts

Paul Onuachu: Turkish Super Lig side to lock horns with Trabzonspor for Super Eagles striker

Super Eagles and Southampton striker, Paul Onuachu, could be on the move in the coming… Read More

13 hours ago

“Among the best in the world”- Atalanta boss Gasperini praises CAF POTY Ademola Lookman

Atalanta coach Gian Pero Gasperini has praised Super Eagles star Ademola Lookman following his impressive… Read More

13 hours ago

Super Eagles defender Ola Aina reveals what Arsenal must do to win the EPL Trophy

Super Eagles and Nottingham Forest versatile defender, Olaoluwa Temitayo Aina, has revealed what Arsenal must… Read More

14 hours ago

Not Chukwueze: Saka’s hamstring injury to hasten Arsenal’s move for another Super Eagles forward

Emirates FA Cup record Champions, Arsenal, have rekindled their interest in Super Eagles and Atalanta… Read More

14 hours ago

Snubbing England for Super Eagles has led to career success – 2024 CAF POTY Lookman

Super Eagles forward, Ademola Lookman, has credited his career success to his decision to snub… Read More

15 hours ago

Ex-Arsenal man Chuba Akpom open to French Ligue 1 switch after frustrating season at Ajax

Ajax Amsterdam forward Chuba Akpom is reportedly open to a move to France's Ligue 1,… Read More

16 hours ago